Top 5 NFL Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers QB #12
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Strengths
+ elite arm talent + precise ball placement especially on back shoulder throws + ability to throw off of any platform + sneaky pocket mobility + great hard count and capitalizes on free plays + rarely throws interceptions at home Weaknesses - often throws off his back foot (usually is unaffected due to elite arm talent) |
Final Verdict
Football fans "relax". Aaron Rodgers has every single trait you look for in a quarterback. His natural arm talent cuts through defenses like Swiss cheese. Throws his receivers open with elite ball placement and consistent accuracy. Back shoulder throws are his forte. Lightning quick release and swift pocket movement allow him to avoid negative plays. Has a knack for getting defenses to jump offside with his hard count. From a talent perspective, Rodgers is the best signal caller in the league.
Tom Brady QB #12
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Strengths
+ arm strength to throw down the seams and outside the numbers + ability to change tempo and keep defenses off balance + decisive decision maker + cool/calm/collected when the game is on the line + patience to take what the defense gives him + knack for picking up yardage on quarterback sneaks Weaknesses - outside the pocket mobility (footwork improved in 2015) - accuracy dips with trash around his feet |
Final Verdict
The 4-time super bowl winning QB found himself on the wrong side of controversy again in 2014. The former 6th-round pick from Michigan is blessed with a rocket arm and nerves of steel. Brady is the quarterback you want with the ball in clutch time. A decisive decision maker who gets the ball out of his hands quicker than any other quarterback in the league. Although he lacks mobility, Brady is a true weapon in short yardage situations consistently picking up first downs on QB sneaks. Regardless of what you think of Tom Brady, he is still one of the best in the league. The longtime Patriots leader has had to deal with distractions and doubters his entire career. Expect the scrutinized signal caller to have a career year in 2015.
Ben Roethlisberger QB #7
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Strengths
+ shows great strength and guts in the pocket + accurate throwing the ball down the field + great accuracy and poise in the face of pressure (82 passes in 2014 while pressured 0 INT) + big armed QB that can make all the throws Weaknesses - holds the ball too long at times which lead to most of his negative plays - not the most fleet of foot when rushers create immediate pressure up the middle - takes a lot of hits and pays with injuries |
Final Verdict
In the last couple of years Big Ben has risen to the level of an elite quarterback. The talent has always been there, but now the numbers are starting to justify it. A strong armed quarterback that can make any throw on the field. Excels at extending plays from within the pocket. One of the hardest passers to tackle, Roethlisberger stares down the gun barrel and takes big shots while delivering accurate throws down the field. Pittsburgh has surrounded him with elite talent (L.Bell and A.Brown) in hopes that he can lead them to another Super Bowl.
Drew Brees QB #9
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Strengths
+ supreme competitor and fiery leader of the offense + ball placement is arguably the best in the league + throws with great touch and anticipation + adeptly avoids pressure by sliding inside the pocket Weaknesses - average arm strength for the position - trusts his arm too much and tries to fit the ball into tight windows resulting in negative plays |
Final Verdict
Former Super Bowl winning quarterback Drew Brees will go down in history as one of the most accurate passes in NFL history (66.2 career completion %). Accuracy is the name of Brees' game. Elite ball placement and anticipation allow him to overcome his lack of arm strength. Savvy movements in the pocket give him extra time to find open receivers. Lately, the one knock on Brees is his willingness to take risks. As the Saints unload on talent, it seems Brees is trying to force throws resulting in a higher rate of interceptions. If Brees wants to stay in the "elite QB" conversation, he needs to cut down on the mistakes.
Cam Newton QB #1
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Strengths
+ one of the best arms in the NFL + puts a tremendous amount of RPM on the football + prototypical size for a franchise QB + a powerful and agile runner + strength and poise in the pocket + possesses an energetic and infectious personality Weaknesses - short to mid range accuracy has been an issue his entire career - needs to continue working on multiple progression reads from the pocket |
Final Verdict
The NFL's version of "Superman" had a super season in 2015. The Panthers signal caller led his team to a 15-1 regular season record and had the best statistical year of his career. Newton possesses a rare combination of size, strength and mobility for the quarterback position. Throws lasers down the field and has the ability to make any throw. One of the toughest players in the league to tackle due to both his strength in the pocket and elusiveness in the open field. Accuracy is one of his only physical weaknesses as a player as he can sometimes be an erratic passer of the football. As Cam Newton continues to grow as a leader and player, so will the Carolina Panthers.
Andrew Luck QB #12
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Strengths
+ mobile quarterback that can make defense pay in the open field + very good, not great arm strength to drive the ball down the field + great in the play-action game + a student of the game with Peyton Manning-like mental traits Weaknesses - takes too many risks with the football (43 INT in first 3 seasons) - ball security (29 fumbles in first 3 seasons - low completion percentage for a quarterback of his skill level (59% in first 3 seasons) |
Final Verdict
Andrew Luck is the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of quarterbacks. The prototypical modern day QB that possesses every mental and athletic trait you look for in a leader. Strong arm, accurate on the run and moves the chains with his legs. On a good day he resembles an athletic Peyton Manning. However, Luck takes too many risks and is lose with the football. Far too many turnovers and negative plays for an elite quarterback. If Andrew Luck wants to be truly recognized as an elite passer, he must cut down on the negative plays that have prevented him from reaching the Super Bowl.
*Missed 9 games in 2015 due to multiple injuries
*Missed 9 games in 2015 due to multiple injuries
Scout's Favorite
Russell Wilson QB #3
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Strengths
+ a born leader + slippery and elusive runner + good arm strength + throws a very beautiful and catchable ball + possess an aura/"it" factor + magic always seems to happen when the ball is in his hands Weaknesses - ball security (27 fumbles in first 3 seasons) |
Final Verdict
In his first three seasons Russell Wilson has led the Seattle Seahawks to two Super Bowls, winning one. Wilson has been marked as a physically limited player his whole career, but always proved doubters wrong. A born leader who earned his captain stripes at Wisconsin in one month and beat out highly touted free-agent Matt Flynn for the Seattle job. Poise in the pocket and mobility are his main strengths. Arguably the toughest quarterback to sack in the league. Throws a beautiful looking ball with touch and accuracy. Wilson's biggest critics point his success towards the talent surrounding him. An unfair critique. He's never had a true #1 target and the Seahawks defense began to blossom when he arrived. Bottom line, Wilson is a true leader that most other teams would die to have. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in heart and determination.
Top College Prospect
Jared Goff QB #16
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 205 lbs School: University of California Class: Junior Strengths + accuracy/ball placement + has good poise for a spread QB + production in a strong conference + scans and sees the field very well + pocket mobility Weaknesses - lean frame - sometimes forces throws to primary read |
Final Verdict
Coming into the season Goff was widely regarded as the top quarterback prospect in the 2016 Draft Class. The 6'4" 205 pound signal caller has had great success in his first two years. Throwing for over 7,000 yards in his first two years, Goff's calling card is his accuracy and ball placement. Consistently throws receivers open and gives them a chance to run after the catch. A solid decision maker that shows great anticipation in his reads. Has good pocket mobility, but doesn't look to run.
Has a slim frame that can add about 20 more pounds. As a spread quarterback, he will need to adjust to an NFL style offense and go through multiple progressions on a more consistent basis. Boasts a 3:1 TD:INT ratio but can sometimes trust his arm too much and throw into tight windows.
Jared Goff is a talented spread quarterback that will need help to succeed at the next level. A first-round talent with potential to become a very good player.
Draft Range: Top 10
Perfect Fit: Chicago Bears
Has a slim frame that can add about 20 more pounds. As a spread quarterback, he will need to adjust to an NFL style offense and go through multiple progressions on a more consistent basis. Boasts a 3:1 TD:INT ratio but can sometimes trust his arm too much and throw into tight windows.
Jared Goff is a talented spread quarterback that will need help to succeed at the next level. A first-round talent with potential to become a very good player.
Draft Range: Top 10
Perfect Fit: Chicago Bears
Chuckie Keeton QB #16
Scout's Favorite Prospect
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Height: 6'2"
Weight: 205 lbs School: Utah State Class: Senior(RS) Strengths + leadership + warrior mentality and toughness + pocket mobility Weaknesses - durability (knee injuries in 2013-15) - lacks production vs top competition - USU offense doesn't require many full field reads |
Final Verdict
From 2011-13, Keeton tore through the mountain west conference putting up over 7,000 all-purpose yards and 70 touchdowns. Then in 2013, Keeton tore his ACL and was never the same.
When you watch Keeton, he is a warrior. A born leader whose teammates genuinely respect, follow and play for. Responsible for putting Utah State on the map in 2012. Has a good arm and slippery mobility to avoid pressure and create with his legs. Early in his career, he resembled a more accurate Colin Kaepernick.
However, a series of injuries have derailed his career. Since the first knee injury, he has not been able to find a rhythm. His slim frame (6'2" 200 lbs) and dual threat playing-style could both be factors in his injury history. Against more talented competition (USC, Tenn) he tended to press and tried to do too much. His read option spread system at Utah State would be a tough transition to an NFL type offense.
Draft Range: Undrafted
When you watch Keeton, he is a warrior. A born leader whose teammates genuinely respect, follow and play for. Responsible for putting Utah State on the map in 2012. Has a good arm and slippery mobility to avoid pressure and create with his legs. Early in his career, he resembled a more accurate Colin Kaepernick.
However, a series of injuries have derailed his career. Since the first knee injury, he has not been able to find a rhythm. His slim frame (6'2" 200 lbs) and dual threat playing-style could both be factors in his injury history. Against more talented competition (USC, Tenn) he tended to press and tried to do too much. His read option spread system at Utah State would be a tough transition to an NFL type offense.
Draft Range: Undrafted